Sevillano and Kretchetov win Southern California

Two share title as state champBy Jack Peters, International Master August 31, 2008

Alexandre Kretchetov and International Master Enrico Sevillano tied for first place last Sunday in the Southern California Championship. Each scored 5-2 in the round robin that serves as a state championship.

Two sixth-round upsets, Sevillano’s stumble against 15-year-old Tanaka and Matikozyan’s unexpected loss to Kretchetov, left five players in contention for first prize entering the final round. Kretchetov capitalized against the luckless Lawrence, while Sevillano eked out a win against Lakdawala with a superb endgame.

The tournament was held on two weekends in the Century City law office of John Rowell, an expert who participated in the 2000 state championship and offered to provide a more comfortable site. John Hillery directed for the Southern California Chess Federation.

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